University of South Carolina's Moore School Ranks as Top Business School for 'International Experience' in New Financial Times Global MBA Ranking

COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of South Carolina'sDarla Moore School of Business ranks as the best business school in the world for "international experience" in the newly-published Global MBA Rankings by the Financial Times. In the report, released annually by the FT, Moore's MBA program also ranks second in the "International Business" subject area category.

The School, which ranks 67th overall, has consistently been rated among the top two in the "international experience" category over the past five years.

"The international experience rank in the FT MBA rankings measures the quantity and quality of the overseas internships, study and projects that are part of the MBA experience," says Della Bradshaw, Business Education Editor at the Financial Times. "As a rule, it is European and Asian schools that score most highly in this category, so the Moore school's number one ranking shows that this is a US school which really does take global business seriously."

In the past year, the School has launched new international programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level. The Master of International Business (MIB) is a unique one-year interdisciplinary graduate program offered jointly by the University of South Carolina's Moore School, College of Arts and Sciences (Political Science) and School of Law. TheInternational Business and Chinese Enterprise (IBCE) is a collaborative program with the Chinese University of Hong Kong for undergraduates that includes two years of study in Hong Kong, along with intensive language and cultural training.

"What is exciting about the recognition for 'international experience' is that we continue our bold innovation in this area with global immersion programs for our students that integrate social, cultural, political, and policy perspectives into our international business curriculum," says Moore School Dean Hildy Teegen.

This year, the School is also pioneering new classroom technology, including Cisco Telepresence, to bring executive participants from around the world together in a virtual "learning community" for several of its graduate-level and executive programs.

"Our focus on the student experience is one of the things that continues to distinguish the Moore School," said Christine LaCola, Assistant Dean and Director of the Graduate Program. "Our graduates tell us that this international exposure gives them a critical advantage in the increasingly competitive marketplace."

The Moore School was an early leader among business schools when it created an International Business academic area of study more than 40 years ago with the support of regional bank presidents, university leaders, engineers, textile manufacturers, utility executives, and others who foresaw an early need to train students in global business and management skills as the business environment began to expand to an international level.

Since the original commitment was made, the Moore School has built one of the leading international business programs in the world. In addition to the Financial Times ranking, the School has been widely recognized for its leadership in international business:

Top ranked undergraduate international business specialty in U.S. News & World Report

Top ranked public university MBA program for international business and No. 2 among all institutions in that specialty in U.S. News & World Report

No. 9 in the world for excellence in international business in the Wall St. Journal

No. 25 among ranked public schools for "fast return on investment" for graduates of two-year MBA programs in the U.S. in Forbes

No. 3 for "fastest return" on an MBA student's education investment in Business Week

The School is continuing to build on this leadership position with new initiatives centered on developing leaders for a sustainable, global society. Last year, Dean Teegen announced that the School had successfully matched a $45 million gift by top benefactor Darla Moore to develop future educational initiatives that will benefit the local, state, regional and global economy.

About the Moore School of Business

The Moore School of Business is among the highest-ranked business schools in the world for international business education and research. Founded in 1919, the school has a history of innovative educational leadership, blending academic preparation with real-world experience through internships, consulting projects, study-abroad programs, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The Moore School offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as distinctive executive education programs. In 1998, the school was named for South Carolina native and New York financier Darla Moore, making the University of South Carolina the first major university to name its business school after a woman.